Our Achievements

When Perkins began to work internationally in 1989, we were aware of only 11 schools in nine countries with programs for children who are deafblind or blind with additional impairments. Support for these children was generally focused on medical and health services—providing little in the way of education. Today, Perkins International works with hundreds of schools, agencies, and organizations in more than 60 countries. Notable achievements from 1989 to 2007 include:

A deafblind boy learns daily living lessons, Ratmalana School for the Blind, Sri Lanka

• 20,000 children who are deafblind or blind with additional disabilities receive educational services
• 52,000 family members receive support
• 13,400 teachers and administrators are professionally prepared
• 100 parent groups and advocacy coalitions collaborate to improve educational services
• Successful university teacher training programs are established in 17 locations
• 200 international leaders trained in the Educational Leadership Program at Perkins now serve as regional resource persons
• More than 190 leaders from Africa and the Caribbean trained through the Institutional Development Program—these leaders manage organizations serving nearly 17,000 people who are blind
• Over 300,000 Perkins Braillers® benefit people who are blind in 170 countries
• Professional literature and education publications have been produced in 21 languages
• In 27 countries, government polices or practices changed in relation to the education of children with multiple disabilities
• Over 200,000 children, family members, teachers, and professionals have directly benefited from program activities
• The teachers and professionals trained in the program are projected to serve 1.8 million people over the next 20 years

These successes speak to our partners' tremendous dedication. Behind these statistics, one will find immeasurable impact on the life of children who now have the opportunity to grow to their fullest potential and realize their dreams. 

Looking Forward

The need for more educational services remains great. According to the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment, there are more than 6 million children in the world who are blind or visually impaired. In developing countries, less than ten percent of children in these groups participate in education programs. The opportunity to gain and education is even less for the estimated 1 million children and youth who are deafblind or blind with additional impairments. Our work confirms that when these children have the opportunity to receive an education, their lives, in addition to the lives of their families and community, are transformed. We have our sights on reaching thousands more of these children in the coming years. 

We invite you to join our efforts and learn first-hand the truth of Helen Keller's words, "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." Learn more about how you can support our work.

* Download Perkins International fact sheet in PDF format using Adobe Acrobat Reader for an overview of our programs and achievements!